Packaging machine and method of packaging



1953 c. J. MALHlOT PACKAGING MACHINE AND METHOD OF PACKAGING Filed April2, 1949 Jan. 20, 1953 c. .1. MALHIOT 2,625,777

PACKAGING MACHINE AND METHOD OF PACKAGING Filed April 2, 1949 5Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 20, 1953 Q MALI-QT 2,625,777

PACKAGING MACHINE AND METHOD OF PACKAGING Filed April 2, 1949 5Sheets-Sheet 4 Jan. 20, 1953 c. J. MALHIOT 2,625,777

PACKAGING MACHINE AND METHOD OF PACKAGING Filed April'z, 1949 sSheets-Sheet 5 Patented Jan. 20, 1953 PACKAGING MACHINE AND METHOD OFPACKAGING Clarence J. Malhiot,- Oak Park, 111., assignonto F. B.Redington 00., Chicago, Ill.,.a corporation of Delawarev ApplicationApril2,.1949; SerialNo. 85,219

20 Claims: 1

This invention relates to apackaging machine of the general type whereina plurality of articles are adapted to be arranged or inserted in acontainer of a preferred form.

The primary object of the present invention is the provision of new andnovel. means for packaging a plurality of' articles in a predeterminedtype of container so that a. part. of" the article at each end of thecontainer will. project a predetermined distance beyond the confinesofrim adapted to beengagedby an integralt'ongue" onzthe container, wherebya plurality of articles may-be insertedin the container andthen lockedin position by the tongue. on the container engaging the arcuateoutstanding rim.

Astill further object of the invention consists. in inserting aplurality of cans in a container of apredeterminedkind, the containerbeing pro.-

vided with integral tongues which. are folded'l back during theinsertion ofthe cans in the container and then engage the outstandingannularrim of. the container so as to lock the end cans in position inthe container, additional cans being maintained in the containerbetween. the end locked cans.

A still further object of the invention resides. in the provision of anew and. improved machine.

for inserting a plurality of articles inanppen ended container of apreformed type, at least one article beinginserted in one end-of thecon-- tainer and at least one. other article being, in-

serted in. they container from the. opposite end; the container havingintegraltongues adaptedv to engage; in the: countersunk ends'ofv thearticles. which-countersunk ends are eachdefined. by an.- outstanding.annular rim, there. being; spreader.

fingers tospread theends of. thecontainer a distance sufiicienttopermitthe-cans to .slide. easily:

in place... I

Still anotherxobject ofthe inventionis the provisionzof a new andimproved method for-packaging articles in a container. which consists.in.

spreading. apart one end of an openended container a predetermineddistance, inserting: one

or more cans in the spreadopenend of thecone tainer andthen later.spreadingthe. opposite end.

of the container. and inserting additionaliarticles in the latter openend of'the container.

Numerousv other. objects. and advantages will be apparentthroughout theprogressof the. specification which follows.

The accomp-anyingdrawings illustrate a certain selected embodimentof'the invention, and the views therein are as follows:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of 1 one end of a packaging, machine.embodying the invention;

Fig. .2 is a detaillongitudinal-sectional.view on the line 2-2of"Fig.I', the can about to be inserted in the container-being omitted forthesalce of. clearness Fig. 3' is a detail'transvers'esectional view onthe line3-3 of Fig. 1; a A

Fig. 4" is a detailtransverse' s'ectional" vi'ev'flon the'line t-4"ofFig. 1;

Fig. Bis a view similar to Fig. ebut showing'the spreader fingers in.operatingrelation'ship and the" plunger or" pusher member positioningthe cans in the container;

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional v-iewon the line-6 6 of Fig. 1; but showingtwoadditiona-l cans -inserted in the container;

Fig; 7 is a" detail sectional-view'showing=*the* manner inwhichtheintegrallocking-tongues onthe carton are engageable with anoutwardly projecting annular rim at theen'dofa can; said view being.taken on 'the line 1 T of Fig. -9;

Fig; 10.is a'detail perspective-"view of a-mo'dified form of containerwhich is adapted. to be -used;

Fig; 11 isa' detail perspective viewof the c'o'ntainer shown in Figs.1-9; inclusiveya'nd Fig. l 2'is' a detail perspective view" of the'con'tainer having four cans locked in position therein.

The particular cartoningi machine" herein shown for illustrating theinvention comprises a suitable supporting structure I,- such as=th'e"frame of the machine; whichsupports"amovable" central conveyor 2 adaptedto support-and conveya plurality of spaced apart cartons or conta'iners3', Fig. l. The conveyor ffOrsupIiorting-arid conveying the'cartons 3comprises-"a central station'ary'lower plate 4; Figs; 1 and 3; supportedby: supporting means 5', Fig: 3, Whicharesecured to a" rigid part f the"machine frame or sup-:- port' I. A pair" of chains fi are'arrangedono'pposit'e sides'oftthe central plate (i-and are trained over. suitableisprockets on opposite"- ends of the machine; said sprockets beingarranged so as to move each chain in a continuousorbital' patH: Eachchain B'carries a pluralityofupstanding arms'or fingers-7 whicharea'dapte'd to pushthe cartons 3" and slide the cartonsalong the plate4'; The driving sprockets which driveth'echain 6 may be operated by iany" convenient mechanism to move the chains -intermittent1yso thatthere will be a restor dwell at certain posi tions to permit articles"to' b'e inserted" into T the cartons; One form of 'm'eans which mayhe'used for intermittently drivingthe c'hains t may be" a Geneva wheel.A stationary upper plate"?- may be provided above theconveyor '2this-upper plate being spaced above the lower" plate 4 ataheight'sufiicient to permit the cartons* 3- to be pushed therebetweenso that empty cartons on the conveyorma'y' not collapse-*before-theyreach certaincartonloading positions hereinafter more fully described.

A" first article conveyor" 9 1s" arranged alongf' one sided the centralarticle conveyor 2 and is adapted to convey a plurality of articles H]in double rows, Fig. 1, to a predetermined position at a dischargestation where a pair of the articles I may be inserted into one end of acontainer 3. The conveyor 9 may comprise an endless belt trained overend rollers [2 which are driven by sprockets l3 over which a chain I4 istrained. The article conveyor 9 is adapted to convey two rows ofarticles l8 and deposit them on a dead plate or stationary member l5,Fig. 1, which is arranged at the end of the article conveyor 9. A stopplate [6 is arranged at the end of the article conveyor 9 and in thepath of the end two articles I8. The stop plate It is adapted to stopthe articles in a predetermined position so that they may be positionedin a carton 3 which is at rest or at dwell position directly oppositethe plate l5.

A second article conveyor I! is mounted on the opposite side of thecentral container conveyor 2 and is adapted to convey two rows ofarticles ID to a predetermined position to be inserted in a carton 3 atthe opposite end of the carton. The articleconveyor I1 is identical inall respects with the article conveyor 9 and comprises an endless beltI8 which is trained over end rollers E9 and driven by sprockets 28 overwhich a sprocket chain 2| is trained. A dead plate or stationary member22 is arranged at the end of the conveyor I! to receive a pair ofarticles II]. A stop plate 23 is arranged in the path of the conveyor soas to hold and support a pair of articles H) on the plate 22 so that thearticles 9 may be inserted at the opposite end of the container 3. v Thecontainer 3 is preferably an elongated cardboard carton rectangular incross sectional shape as shown in Fig. 11, and is adapted to containfour articles II]. The articles H] are regular cylindrical cans havingdepressed or countersunk ends 24, Figs. '7 and 12, defining anoutstanding annular flange 25. The container or carton 3 is shown asbeing elongated vertically and comprises opposite side walls 26, 26 andopposite top and bottom walls 21, 21. The carton is open at its ends buthas extending therefrom at each end integral outstanding tongues 28. Theintegral tongues 28 are adapted to be bent downwardly and inwardly fromthe position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 11 to the position ofvertical alignment with each other shown in full lines, so that the cansH! as they are to be inserted in the carton or container 3 willengagethese tongues 28 and force them inwardly against the insidesurface of the top and bottom walls 21, so that when a can I8 isinserted in the end the tongues or flaps 28 will be arranged in theannular recess 24 in the top and bottom of the cans and be engaged bythe annular rim or bead whereby the end cans will be locked in position.The carton may be of any sufficient length but is shown herein assupporting or containing four cans. However, the carton may be longer sothat more cans may be arranged in alignment therein, or the carton maybe shorter to support or carry only two cans. Also the container may beof the multiple section type such as shown in Fig. 10, and incorporatecartoning sections or openings 29 and 30. The width of a section 29 or39 is substantially the same as the width of the carton 3, the width ofthe carton being determined by the diameter of the can It. The height ofthe carton 3 is substantially equal to the height of a can. Each section29 and 30 of the carton shown 4 in Fig. 10 is as wide as a can and is ashigh as a can. The length may be that desired to carton two or morecans, and there may be more sections than shown in Fig. 10. There may bethree sections to accommodate three cans each, or there may be threesections to accommodate four cans, or there may be two sections for onecan each. The one section container 3 may be for two or more cans, fourbeing shown for the purpose of convenience.

The machine of the invention is adapted to insert the cans 9 in thecontainer 3; two cans are first inserted in one end of the container andthen later two more cans are inserted in the other end of the container.It is difficult to insert the cans in the containers properly becausethe containers should be of a size just sufiioient to receive andsupport the cans. If the containers are too large the tongues 28 on thecontainers may not register properly with the rims of the can or theymay come out of registration. It is therefore desirable that thecontainer or carton fit snugly about the cans. To have the carton fitsnugly about the cans and to permit easy and proper insertion of thecans in the carton, it is desirable that the ends of the carton bespread or bowed out somewhat so as to permit the cans to slide easilyinto place.

The means for spreading apart the opposite walls 21 of the container atone end thereof for the insertion of two cans from the article conveyor8 comprises a spreader member 3|, Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 5. This spreadermember 3| comprises a frame 32 to which a plunger rod 33 is connected,the plunger rod being slidably mounted in suitable guides carried by theframe of the machine whereby the frame 32 is adapted to have shiftablemovement in a direction at right angles to the direction of the conveyor2. The shiftable movement is effected in proper timed relationship withthe movement of the cans and the position of the carton when it is atrest or in its dwell position. The movement of the plunger rod 33 may beoperated or controlled by any convenient mechanism such as by a cam (notshown).

The frame 32 comprises a vertical member 34 to which upper and lowerlegs 35 and 36, respectively, are connected, being preferably madeintegral therewith. The frame 32 of the spreader member 3| carrieselongated spreader fingers 31 and 38 which are pivoted at 39 and 40,respectively, to the parts 35 and 36. The fingers have arcuate outersurfaces and are elongated and relatively thin at their extreme outerends. As the spreader 3| moves inwardly (to' the left, Fig. 4) thefingers will engage the tongues 28, and when the cans ID are pushed intothe container by means of an article pusher 4|, the cans will ride onthe inner arcuate surface 42 of the fingers 31 and 38, whereby thetongues 28 will be moved inwardly against the top and bottom walls. Theupper and lower walls of the container are caused to be spread apart apredetermined distance by the fingers 31 and 38 as a pair of cans Illare being fed into one end of the container. A vertical stationary sideplate 43, Figs. 1, 3, 4 and 5, which is rigid with the machine frame maybe provided between the conveyor 2 and the conveyor H to prevent thecarton which is being filled from being pushed off of the conveyor 2while the cans are being pushed or inserted therein. The cans are weberably pushed into the container by the pusher o r plunger 4| apredetermined distance but the 2362 agree can in contact with;the-pusher: should-- be pushed into the container-a distance not:greaterthan thelength. of a flap or tongue 28-, as-shown' in- Figs. and.8. When the spreader 31- has operated to move toward the container andthe plungcontainer: spreader fingers 31 and 38 to return them to their.normal position; Fig. 4, afterthe plunger has receded apredetermineddistance-.- The springs 44, Fig. 4, thenhold the fingers 31' and- 38 intheir. normal position so asto be engaged by the cans as. they are"being pushed by the"- plunger' 41; The plunger 4 lis operated intimedrelationship with the spreadermember 3| and may be operatedbyanyconvenient means such asby a cam (not shown). The two cans on theconveyor S-are adapted to-beinserted-in-oneend ofjthe container 3-at-the-time the-container.

is in its rest' or dwell' position between its in-- termittentmovements.

Two cans from the conveyor tainer 3', and to cause the insertion ofthese latter two cans there is provided a second spreader member 45,Figs: 1 and 6. This spreader member &5 is identical" in all respectswith the spreader member 3| and comprises'a frame 46 including avertically 1 extending member 6-1" and upper and lower legs 48am! 49,respectively. An upper. spreader finger. 5fl'isjpivotally mounted to theupper leg 48 and a lowerspreader finger 5! is pivotally mounted to thelower 1eg49; A plunger rod 52' is adapted to shift the-spreader member45'; Springs 53- are provided so asto return the spreader fingers 50 and51 to theirnormal positions when the spreadermember 45 retracts awayfrom the carton.

The first two, cans from, the conveyor 9 are inserted in the container3. at the position indicated at 5.4, Fig. 1, andtwo cans "Jon thearticle conveyor. I! are, adapted to be, inserted in the opposite endofthe. container when the container has moved to anadvanced positionindicated. at 55, Fig. 1. At this. latter position 55, thecontaineragaincomes toa rest or dwell, and: whenitis atthisrest positionthe spreader member- 45..moves toward. the carton. as viewed in Fig-.1and a second plunger 5.6 pushestwo cans v Hl o nthe support 22 intotheunfilled end of the. container, the spreader, member 4.5 moving-,to-.wardthe-carton so thatthe spreader. fingers 5b and-:ELwilLbe in a.position tospreadapart the opposite, wallsv 21.- of the; container atthe; end being. filled, The plungerr56, will, push the cans from thedead plate 22into the carton and while it is very possible that theoriginaltwocanswere inserted deeper than necessary, as shown in Fig.8,.the cansbeing pushed'by theplungergfifi will push .them-lb-ack :to.finalposition, whereupon the container; will have four cans, in-the.position shown in. Fig. 9.. Thespreader' member-45.15 then. retracted.outwardly, thereby causing. the spreader fingersfiilandil .to bewithdrawnfrom their interposed: positions between the end can andthetongues or flaps 28; A- stationa-ry'stop plate orbar 51 whichisrigidiwiththe machine frame maybe vprovidedatzthe end of the cartonopposite the end into which the last two cans are inserted. This stopplate or-bar-- 5'1 like the plate 42; prevents-the--ca-rton-'f-rom-b'eing-pushed IT are" adapted to be inserted in theopposite end of the con-'- ed the-- conveyor 2'while-the-IasttWo-cans-arebeing pushed or inserted into the cartom Whenall four cans are inplacethe tabs or tongues 23- on the top-and bottomof the-"con tainer and at both endswillbe in a positionto-- be-receivedin the countersunk toporbottom ends- 24 of thecontainers; and the outeredges of thesetongues or flaps 28 will engage behind-ther-im 2'5;Therefore; the two end'cans- Ill. Fig.9; will be locked inplace by theupper and lower tabs; 21 ateach end of the carton; The sizeof the"carton is such that when-- the cans are in theposition shownin Fig. 9*there will bevery little if'a-ny space between the cans. Therefore; thecans will be completely locked in placein posi'-- tion in the-container,and cannot be'removed until'the container is broken or'atool isinsertedbetween an end of the-can to'lift a flap: 28 out of the recess24 and away from the-rim 25 so as to permit the canto be removed. Whenthe cans are in position in the container and"- the" flaps are in thecountersunksurfaces 24'', and against the rim- 25, a unitarypackageis-formed" whereby the container may be turned end forend, side forside, or-in any direction, and'it is impossible to" remove the cans.order-to pull out a can a very considerableforce has to be appliedbecause the tabs-ortongues-28 will be'in the position shown in Fi'gs*.-9and 'l;

that" is, they will be doubled back against the outer surface of thecontainer and held in-con-- fined positionbetween theinsid'e upper andlower walls of the container and-the outer upper and lower'walls of thecan;

Operation Cans are fed indoublerowsby the conveyors}.

and It. The last. two.cans of each conveyor. are. supported on adead.plate and. held, in position.

by a stop plate. When the carton arrives. in position. as indicated at.54in Fig. 1, the. spreaderv 31 will move inwardly aslight,distance,.where 21, Zlof the cartonasuflicient distance to permitthe cans to, be inserted, easily. As soon as the two cans. are inserted.the plunger will. retract and the spreader 3t willretract, whereupon.the. cans will be in the position showninFig. 8. The. carton conveyor2.. will then resumeitsintermittent movement until they cartonreachestheposiQ- tion shown at.55,1iig. 1., The spreader 45" then. holds theupper andjlower surfaces ofthe, carton apart to permit the, plunger 56to. push.tw.o,more. cans in place, whereuponthe cans willfbepositionedinthe, cartonasshownin Fig. 9,. In thisv latter position the tongues orflaps 28 at, the upper and lower walls of thecontainer, andat. each end.thereof will be. in. a position so that the flaps will drop in theindented, surfaces 24 at the top and bottom ends of the cans positionedat the opposite ends of thev carton, with the outer edges of'the tonguesor flaps 2B in engagement" with the rim' 2401 these cans. The four canswill. thus be slightly locked in position in the carton whereby aunitary carton containing four cans is provided:

The cartons as previously-mentioned may-be ofsuch asize as: toaccommodateonlytwo cans; and in such a case there will be-one canpositioned first from theconveyor 9-andthe second can-from the oppositeend of the-conveyonfli Should the carton be designed to accommodatethree cans; two may 'loe inserted from oneend fromsthe can! Moreover, Iinveyor 9 and one from the conveyor I1. Should it be desirable to cartonsix cans it may be done by inserting three in line on the conveyors 9 an[1 instead of two each from those conveyors. If desired the carton maybe constructed in two or more sections as shown in Fig. 10. Each sectionmay contain two, four or six cans and there may be one, two or moresections.

The invention provides a machine which comprises continuously operatingbelts for moving the cans to discharge stations; two cans are firstinserted in one end of the container, and the container then movesforwardly to a further station where two additional cans are inserted inthe opposite ends of the container. After the cans are in position inthe container as shown in Fig. 9, the continuous operation of the cartoncontainer will discharge the articles to a proper discharge station,such as a conveyor.

The invention therefore provides a very simpl mechanism which isefficiently operated. It has been found that at least 300 cans may becartoned a minute by adapting the construction herein shown anddescribed.

Changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of theparts without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificingany of its advantages, and the right is hereby reserved to make any andall such changes as fall fairly within the scope of the appended claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A packaging machine comprising an intermittently movable cartonconveyor having a dwell period for momentarily retaining an open endedcarton at a filling station, means to move an article to a dischargeposition in register with an open end of the carton at the fillingstation, spreader means to spread the open end of the carton body atsaid filling station, and pusher means to push an article from saiddischarge position into the carton body when the spreader meansmaintains the open end of the carton body in spread condition, saidspreader means entering the carton body and being actuated by thearticle to be inserted into the carton.

2. A packaging machine comprising an intermittently movable cartonconveyor having a dwell period for momentarily retaining an open endedcarton at a predetermined carton loading position, means to move anarticle to a discharge position in register with an open end of thecarton at said loading position, a retractable spreader member movablefrom a retracted position to carton engaging position when a cartonassumes its leading position to deform the carton to increase the sizeof the carton in one direction, and a retractable plunger movable topush an article from the article conveyor into the carton while thespreader member is in its carton engaging position, said spreader memberentering the carton body and being moved by said article to spread saidcarton.

3. A cartoning machine for packaging articles in open-ended cartonscomprising an intermittently movable carton conveyor adapted to move aseries of open-ended-cartons successively to a loading station and tomomentarily retain said articles at said station for loading purposes, amovable article conveyor adapted to move a series of articlessuccessively to a discharge position in register with a carton at saidloading station, a spreader member movable from a retracted position toan advanced position in close proximity to the cartons at said loadingstation,- opposed spreader fingerson said spreader member movable fromretracted to carton engaging and spreading positions when the spreadermember is in its advanced position, said spreader fingers being movableinto the carton body and being positioned in the path of movement ofarticles as they move into the open ends of the cartons when thespreader member is in its advanced position whereby engagement thereofwith the articles causes them to move to their spreading positions, anda retractable pusher for pushing the articles from the article conveyorinto the cartons.

4. A cartoning machine for packaging articles in open-ended cartonscomprising an intermittently movable carton conveyor for moving a seriesof open-ended cartons successively to a loading station, a movablearticle conveyor for moving a series of articles successively to adischarge position in register with a carton at said carton loadingstation, a retractable spreader member movable between advanced andretracted positions toward and away from the carton at said loadingstation, opposed spreader fingers movably mounted on the spreader memberand receivable in one open end of the carton when the spreader member isadvanced, said spreader fingers being engageable with the carton uponactuation thereof to spread the carton at said one open end in at leastone direction to permit a plurality of articles to be received easilywithin the said open end of the carton, a retractable pusher movable topush a plurality of articles simultaneously from the article conveyorand into the said open end of the carton, said spreader fingers beingengageable with the article during movement thereof into the carton toactuate the fingers and maintain the carton in spread condition duringmovement of the articles into the carton.

5. A cartoning machine for packaging articles in open-ended cartonscomprising an intermittently movable carton conveyor for moving a seriesof open-ended cartons successively to a loading station, a movablearticle conveyor for moving a series of articles successively to adischarge position in register with a carton at said carton loadingstation, a retractable spreader member movable between advanced andretracted positions toward and away from the carton at said loadingstation, opposed spreader fingers movably mounted on the spreader memberand receivable in one open end of the carton body when the spreadermember is advanced, said spreader fingers being engageable with thecarton upon actuation thereof to spread the carton at said one open endin at least one direction to permit a plurality of articles to bereceived easily within the said open end of the carton, a retractablepusher movable to push a plurality of articles simultaneously from thearticle conveyor and into the open end of the carton, said spreaderfingers being engageable with the articles during movement thereof intothe carton to actuate the same and maintain the carton in spreadcondition during movement of the articles into the carton, a secondmovable article conveyor for moving a series of articles successively toa discharge position in register with the carton at said cartonloading'station, a second retractable spreader member movable betweenadvanced and retracted positions toward and away from the carton at saidloading station, opposed spreader fingers on said latter spreader memberand receivable in the othe open end of the carton body When the spreadermember is advanced, said lattion of an "article from the secondconveyor, a

second retractable pusher 'for' pushing an article from the secondarticle'con'veyor into said latter open end of the carton, said latterspreader fingers being engageable with the articles during "the movementthereof into'the carton to'actuate the same andmaintain the carton inspread condition during movement of 'said'latte article into the carton.

'6. A packaging machine for packaging a plurality of articles'in openended cartons-comprising a movable carton conveyor to convey openendedcartons successively to a loading station where articles are placed inthe cartons from .opposite ends thereoflmeans to move a p urality ofarticles successively to a discharge position in regi te with an openend of a carton at said station, means to move a plurality of articlesfrom said discharge position simultaneously into sa d open end of acarton at said loading station,

means engageable with the articles as they move into said open end toenter said carton body and to spread said open end of the carton'w'hilesaid articles are inserted therein, a second means to move a pluralityof articles successively to a second discharge position in register withthe other open end of said carton, means to move an article from saidsecond discharge position into the other open end of said carton, andmeans engageable with said latter article as it moves into "said latteropen end to enter said carton body and. to spread said latter open endof the carton as said article is inserted thereinto.

7. A packaging machine for packaging a plurality of articles inopen-ended cartons comprising a movable carton conveyor to conveyopenended cartons successively to a loading station where articles areplaced in the cartons from opposite ends thereof, a first movablearticle conveyor to move a plurality of articles successively to adischarge position in registe with one open end of a carton at saidstation, means to insert simultaneously a plurality of articles fromsaid discharge position into one open end of a carton at said loadingstation, means engageable with the articles as they move into said openend to enter said carton body and to spread said open end of the cartonwhile said articles are inserted therein, a second movable articleconveyor to move a plurality of articles successively to a sec- .ond.discharge position in register with the other open end of said carton,means to move a plura'lity of articles from said second dischargeposition into said other open end of said carton, and means engageablewith said latter articles as they move into said latter open end of thecarton to enter said carton body and to spread said latter open end ofsaid carton while said latter articles are being inserted into thecarton.

'8. A packaging machine for packaging a plurality of articles inopen-ended cartons comprising a movable Ica'rton conveyor to conveyopenended cartons successively to a loading station to have articlesplaced in the cartons, a first movable article conveyor for moving aseries of articles successively to a discharge position in register withsaid carton, means to insert a plurality of articles from said articleconveyor "into "one open end of'a carton at said discharge posithearticles as they move into the carton for engaging the carton to spreadsaid open end of said carton while said plurality of articles areinserted therein, a second movable article conveyor to move a series ofarticles successively'to 'a second discharge position at the other openend of said carton, means to insert a plurality of articles from saidsecond conveyor into said latter open end of'said carton, yieldablemeans'normal- -ly maintained out'of contact with the carton andengageable with the articles as they move into said latter open end ofthe carton 'for engaging the -carton to spread said latter open end ofsaid carton while said latter articles are being'insertedsimultaneously.

9. A packaging machine'for packaginga plurality of articles ihavingdepressedends bounded by outstanding peripheral "rims into containers.each having inwardly extending opposed integral flapson opposed wallsof the container at each end andirece'ivablein the depressions in'theartic'lesand abutting inner edges of the rims-to hold the articles inthe container, comprising a'centrally disposed intermittently movablecontainer conveyor to moves'aid containers successivelyto a loadingstation, afirst movable'article conveyor located at one side of thecontainer conveyor to deliver articles to a predetermined dischargeposition in'register with'a carton at'said loading station, means toinsert an article inoneend'of a container at said loading station from"the conveyor, means to spread the opposed walls of the container atone'en'dthereof'and to force the flaps on said end against the walls "ofthecontainer as the article is beinginserted, a second article conveyoron the other side of the container conveyor to deliver articles 'to asecond discharge station in register with the carton at said seconddischarge station, means to insert an article into the other end of thecontainer from the latter conveyor, and means to spread the opposedwalls of the container at its said other end and to force the flaps onsaid other end against the Walls of the container as the latter article'isbeing inserted'in said other end.

10. A packaging machine for packaging a'plurality of articles havingdepressed ends bounded by outstanding peripheral rims into containerseach havingfinwardly extending opposedinteg'ral flaps on opposed wallsof the container at each end and receivable in the depressions in thearticles and abuttinginner edges of the rims to holdthe articles in thecontainer, comprising a centrally disposed intermittently movablecontainer conveyor to move said containers successively to atleast afirst and second loading station, afirst movable article conveyorlocated at one side of the container conveyor to deliver articles toapredetermined discharge station opposite the first container loadingstation, means to insert an article into one end of a container fromthefirst discharge station at the'firstloading station, means to spreadthe opposed walls of the container at one end thereof and to .force theflaps on said end against the walls of the container as the article isbeing inserted, a, second article conveyoron the other sideof thecontainer conveyor to deliver articles to a predetermined dischargestation opposite the second container loading station, means to insertan article into the other end of the container from the latter dischargestation at the second container loadingstation, and'meansto spreadthe'opposed walls of the container atits sa'id'other endand'toforce theflaps on 'sa-id other end against the Walls of'the 11 container as thelatter article is being inserted in said other end, said last namedarticle inserting means shifting all of the articles in the container soas to position the articles at each end of the container with respect tothe flaps at each end so that the flaps will be in registration with therims of the end articles and thereby lock the articles to the containerby the rims engaging the flaps.

11. A packaging machine for packaging a plurality of articles havingdepressed ends bounded by outstanding peripheral rims into containerseach having inwardly extending opposed integral flaps on opposed wallsof the container at each end and receivable in the depressions in thearticles and abutting inner edges of the rims to hold the articles inthe container, comprising a centrally disposed intermittently movablecontainer conveyor to move said containers successively to at least afirst and second loading station, means located at one side of thecontainer conveyor to deliver articles to a predetermined dischargestation opposite the first container loading station, means to insert anarticle into one end of a container from the first discharge station atthe first loading station, means to spread the opposed walls of thecontainer at said latter end thereof and to force the flaps on said endagainst the walls of the container as the article is being inserted,means on the other side of the container conveyor to deliver articles toa predetermined discharge station opposite the second container loadingstation, means to insert an article into the other end of the conflapswill be in registration with the rims of the end articles and therebylock the articles to the container by the rims engaging the flaps.

12. A packaging machine for packaging a plurality of cans havingdepressed ends bounded by outstanding peripheral rims into containerswhich have inwardly extending opposed integral flaps on opposed walls ofthe container at each end thereof, the flaps being receivable in thedepressions in the cans and adapted to abut the inner edges of the canrims to hold the cans in the container, comprising a centrally disposedintermittently movable container conveyor to move said containerssuccessively to at least a first and a second loading station, meanslocated at one side of the container conveyor to deliver cans to apredetermined discharge station opposite the first container loadingstation, means to insert two cans in one end of a container from thefirst discharge station while the container is at the first loadingstation, means to spread the opposed walls of the container at one endthereof and to force the flaps on said end against the walls of thecontainer as the can is being inserted, and means to insert at least onecan in the other end of the container, said inserting means operating tomove said cans to a position where said flaps are received in saiddepressions.

13. A packaging machine for packaging a plurality of cans havingrecessed ends bounded by outstanding peripheral rims into containerswhich 12' have inwardly extending opposed integral flaps on opposedwalls of the container at each end thereof and receivable in therecesses in the cans and adapted to abut the inner edges of the rims tohold the cans in the container, comprising a centrally disposedintermittently movable container conveyor to move containerssuccessively to at least a first and a second loading station, a firstmovable can conveyor located at one side of the container conveyor todeliver cans to a first discharge station opposite the first containerloading station, movable retractable pusher means to insert at least twocans in one end of a container from the first discharge station whilethe container is at the first loading station, movable retractable meansto spread the opposed walls of the container at one end thereof and toforce the flaps on said end against the walls of the container as thecans are being inserted, a second can conveyor located at the other sideof the container conveyor to deliver cans to a discharge stationopposite the second loading station, movable retractable pusher means toinsert at least one can into the other end of the container from thelatter discharge station when the container is at the second loadingstation, and movable retractable means to spread the opposed walls ofthe container at its said other end and to force the flaps on said otherend against the walls of the container as said latter can is beinginserted in said other end. i

14. A packaging machine for packaging a plurality of cans havingrecessed ends bounded by outstanding peripheral rims into containerswhich have inwardly extending opposed integral flaps on opposed walls ofthe container at each end thereof and receivable in the recesses in thecans and adapted to abut the inner edges of the rims to hold the cans inthe container, comprising a centrally disposed intermittently movablecontainer conveyor to move containers successively to at least a firstand a second loading station, a first movable can conveyor located atone side of the container conveyor to deliver cans to a first dischargestation opposite the first container loading station, movableretractable pusher means to insert at least two cans in one end of acontainer from the first discharge station while the container is at thefirst loading station, movable retractable means to spread the opposedwalls of the container at one end thereof and to force the flaps on saidend against the walls of the container as the cans are being inserted, asecond can conveyor located at the other side of the container conveyorto deliver cans to a discharge station opposite the second loadingstation, movable retractable pusher means to insert at least one caninto the other end of the container from the latter discharge stationwhen the container is at the second loading station, and movableretractable means to spread the opposed walls of the container at itssaid other end and to force the flaps on said other end against thewalls of the container as said latter can is being inserted at saidother end, said latter inserting means comprising a pusher to shift saidcans to bring the recessed ends of the cans at the ends of the containerinto position with respect to the flaps so that the flaps will fall intothe recessed ends and abut the inner edges of the rims of the end cansand lock the end cans to the container.

15. A packaging machine for packaging a plurality of cans havingrecessed ends bounded by outstanding peripheral rims into containershaving a length substantially less than the combined length of the cansto be packaged therein and which have inwardly extending opposedintegral flaps on opposed walls of the container at each end thereof andreceivable in the recesses in the cans and adapted to abut the inneredges of the rims to hold the cans in the container, comprising acentrally disposed intermittently movable container conveyor to movecontainers successively to at least a first and a second loadingstation, means located at one side of the container conveyor to delivercans to a first discharge station opposite the first container loadingstation, movable retractable pusher means to insert at least two cans inone end of a container from the first discharge station while thecontainer is at the first loading station, movable retractable means tospread the opposed walls of the container at one end thereof and toforce the flaps on said end against the walls of the container as thecans are being inserted, means located at the other side of thecontainer conveyor to deliver cans to a discharge station opposite thesecond loading station, movable retractable pusher means to insert atleast one can into the other end of the container from the latterdischarge station when the container is at the second loading station,and movable retractable means to spread the opposed walls of thecontainer at its said other end and to force the flaps on said other endagainst the walls of the container as said latter can is being insertedat said other end, said latter inserting means comprising a pusher toshift said cans to bring the recessed ends of the cans at the ends ofthe container into position with respect to the flaps so that the fiapswill fall into the recessed ends and abut the inner edges of the rims ofthe end cans and lock the end cans to the container.

16. The method of inserting cans having a recessed top and bottomdefined by an outstanding peripheral annular rim into a container havinga rectangular tubular body with open ends and integral flaps on the topand bottom at each end which comprises the steps of moving containers toa loading station, moving cans to a discharge station opposite theloading station, spreading the upper and lower walls of the container atone end, inserting a can in said end while the container is so spread,moving the container with a can therein to a second loading station,spreading the upper and lower walls of the container at its other endwhile at the second loading station, inserting another can in the otherend of the container while the container is spread, and finally shiftingall the cans in the container in a position so that flaps on the top andbottom of the container at each end thereof will be in registration withthe recesses so that the fiaps will engage the rims of the cans at eachend of the container and lock the cans to the container.

17. A packaging machine for packaging a plurality of articles havingdepressed ends bounded by outstanding peripheral rims into containerseach having inwardly extending opposed integral flaps on opposed wallsof the container at each end and receivable in the depressions in the articles and abutting inner edges of the rims to hold the articles in thecontainer, comprising a centrally disposed intermittently movablecontainer conveyor to move said containers successively to at least afirst and second loading station, a first movable article conveyorlocated at one side of the container conveyor to deliver articles to apredetermined discharge station opposite the first container loadingstation, means to insert an article into one end of a container from thefirst discharge station at the first loading station, means to spreadthe opposed walls of the container at said latter end thereof and toforce the flaps on said end against the walls of the container as thearticle is being inserted, a second article conveyor on the other sideof the container conveyor to deliver articles to a predetermineddischarge station opposite the second container loading'station, meansto insert an article into the other end of the container from the latterdischarge station at the second container loading station, and means tospread the opposed walls of the container at its said other end and toforce the flaps on said other end against the walls of the container asthe latter article is being inserted in said other end.

18. A packaging machine comprising means to move an open-ended carton toa loading position, means to move an article to a discharge position inregister with an open end of said carton at said loading position,arcuate spreader means pivotally mounted at one end and having the otherend adapted to engage a portion of said carton and spread the same, theconvex side of said arcuate portion of said spreader means being in thepath of the article to be loaded into said carton, and means to pushsaid article against the convex side of said spreader means and thenceinto said carton.

19. A packaging machine comprising means to move an open-ended carton toa loading position, means to move an article to a discharge position inregister with an open end of said carton at said loading position, apair of opposed spreader means yieldabl mounted and having a portionthereof adapted to engage an article as it is loaded into said carton,an end of each of said spreader means being adapted to enter the body ofsaid carton and to spread a panel of said carton when said article isloaded, and means to push said article against said spreader means andthence move an open-ended carton to a loading position into said carton.

20. A packaging machine comprising means to move an open-ended carton toa loading position with the end flaps turned downward in the path of anarticle to be loaded therein, means to move an article to a dischargeposition in register with an open end of said carton at said loadingposition, and spreader means actuated by said article as it moves intosaid carton, said spreader means operating to engage the flaps of thecarton and push them into the body of the carton before the articleenters the body of the carton.

CLARENCE J. MALHIOT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,045,391 Graf Nov. 26, 19121,515,589 Beckman Nov. 18, 1924 1,935,269 Jones Nov. 14, 1933 2,050,547Thayer Aug. 11, 1936 2,124,962 Ferguson et a1. July 26, 1938 2,133,248Jones Oct. 11, 1938 2,179,648 Thayer Nov 14, 1939 2,249,201 FergusonJuly 15, 1941 2,252,235 snelling Aug. 12, 1941 2,430,878 Kimball Nov.18. 1947

